Sep 16 2004
More than 30 volunteers, comprising a range of health and health-related service personnel, are awaiting deployment to help address crisis conditions in Grenada in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, according to the Pan American Health Organization's Caribbean Program Coordinator, Veta Brown.
A meeting called by PAHO was held at the Ministry of Health in Barbados to brief some 40 volunteers on conditions in Grenada and the current plan of action in response to the situation there. The volunteers, including nurses, doctors, environmental experts, health planners, and others reaffirmed their commitment to the emergency effort and willingness to be assigned immediately. Some of the volunteers are Grenadian nationals but the majority are Barbadians, and are employed by the Ministry of Health. The volunteer assistance is supported by the Government of Barbados.
Brown described the extent of the infrastructural damage in Grenada and the national mechanisms that are being put in place to address the situation. She advised that the personal relief effort was being done in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Grenada. The scheduling of staff to the country will therefore be done in accordance with their identified needs. She explained that an initial assessment of needs and conditions is underway after which a definitive plan will be drawn up to more effectively coordinate the provision of services and resources into the country, including their deployment.
Security and communications were the major priorities so far identified, Brown said, but this was being addressed and the situation is expected to stabilize soon. She noted that there was considerable goodwill towards Grenada and significant donations of funds, goods and services were forthcoming from individuals, countries, and donor agencies and organizations.
However, an optimal delivery system was still being developed and an appeal has been made to the general population to be cooperative to facilitate deliveries. In an effort to assist the government with maintaining a transparent process, the Humanitarian Supply Management System (SUMA), a tool developed by PAHO, is currently being used to assist in verifying donations and distribution. The SUMA system aims to build and strengthen the capacity in countries affected by disasters to deal effectively with incoming relief supplies.
PAHO/WHO has provided the equipment and the personnel to install the SUMA system in three sites, with laptop computers, printers and generators to track, prioritize, label and distribute supplies. Shortly after meeting with the volunteers, PAHO was contacted by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health in Grenada and advised that the services of environmental heath personnel were urgently needed.
PAHO, established in 1902, is the world's oldest international health organization. It serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization and works with the countries of the region to improve health and quality of life for all the peoples of the Americas.